Madam, - I was disappointed to read your Religious Affairs Correspondent, Patsy McGarry taking a swipe at Christianity (Opinion, January 3rd). His attack was particularly inappropriate in this season of goodwill.
I will not attempt to refute his implied criticisms of God, but I would like to draw his attention to just two aspects of Christ's teaching that deserve more publicity.
The first is that in the parable of the wise virgins and elsewhere we are warned that none of us know the hour when we will be called to our eternal reward. Our brief lives here can be snuffed out at any time. Christ is telling us that a car accident, a brain haemorrhage, an asteroid, a tsunami or whatever may strike at any time and that we need to be prepared. Christ seems to have had a clearer view of these possibilities than some of today's pundits.
Secondly, Christ told us to love one another. Patsy McGarry, instead of querying God's role, could more constructively ask what kind of love the wealthy are showing to the poor when trillions of dollars are spent by the West on conspicuous domestic consumption, on waging wars and exploring outer space, instead of helping to finance simple measures that would have saved many of the lives now claimed by the tsunami. - Yours, etc.,
DICK HUMPHREYS, Mount Merrion, Co Dublin.
Madam, - They say that God moves in mysterious ways, but it's beyond me how a just and loving God could visit such a catastrophe on his own children.
Is there a theologian out there who could give us a cogent explanation for this and other appalling "acts of God"? - Yours, etc.,
PAUL DELANEY, Beacon Hill, Dalkey, Co Dublin.
Madam, - Of all the articles which I have read since the tsunami tragedy struck, I cannot think of one more odious than that by Mark Steyn entitled "US acting to help victims as UN issues press releases" (Opinion, January 3rd). If a co-ordinated international response draws the US back into a more multilateral approach to world affairs, so much the better for all of us. Moreover, Colin Powell, as long as he is still there, is probably the best man to do it. But to use the present crisis as an occasion for another display of bitter and snide attacks on the United Nations is worse than cheap. It is both irresponsible and contemptible.
It is in the interest of the entire world community, including the US, to have a strong and effective UN, speaking and acting with the voice of moral authority for all of us. It both needs and deserves informed criticism, not guttersnipe journalism of a kind which demeans an honourable profession and an honourable newspaper. - Yours, etc.,
PIARAS MAC ÉINRÍ, Model Farm Road, Cork.
Madam, - In response to the unprecedented disaster in Asia, I would like to suggest that the National Lottery double the jackpot for next weekend. One half could go to a winner and the rest to the disaster appeal fund.
I'm sure such a special one-off draw would be met with a huge and generous public response. - Yours, etc.,
ANEW McKNIGHT, Stamullen, Co Meath.
Madam, - Dublin Bus is reported to be making thousands from unclaimed refunds.
Would it not be a charitable gesture to donate this money to help relieve the suffering of those people caught up in the floods in south east Asia. - Yours, etc.,
CATHERINE MURRAY, Lorcan Grove, Santry, Dublin 9.
Madam, - I don't quibble with your headline on Tuesday, "Agencies meet Ahern on €10m aid dispersal". I rather take the kinder, less cynical view that you actually meant "disbursal". - Yours, etc.,
EUGENE O'MALLEY, Silvercourt, Tivoli, Cork.